^, 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TES;  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


1.1 


I£i|2j8    12.5 
iM    12.0 


Hi 


11.25  H  1.4 


U4 


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■^ 


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IM)gFaphic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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^^I\"^ 

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v\ 


23  WBT  MAIN  STIHT 

WnSTM,N.Y.  14SM 

(71*)I72-4S03 


s^ 


>^.<^ 


CBHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVi/iCMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Inttituta  for  Historical  IMicroraproductiona  /  Inatitut  Canadian  da  microraproductions  historiquas 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notaa/Notaa  tachniquaa  at  bibiiographiquaa 


Tha  inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  avaiiabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  b^  bibiiographicaily  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  algnificantly  changa 
tha  uauai  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  baiow. 


HCoiourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I   Covara  damagad/ 


n 


D 


n 


n 


Couvartura  andommagAa 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  pailiculte 


I      I   Covar  titia  miasing/ 


La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 


I      I   Coloured  mapa/ 


Cartaa  gtographiquas  an  coulaur 

Coloured  inic  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  blacic)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 


r~~|   Coloured  piatea  and/or  iliuatrationa/ 


Pianchea  at/ou  iliuatrationa  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
RallA  avac  d'autrea  documanta 

Tight  binding  may  cauae  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  cauaar  da  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
diatortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blanic  leavea  added  during  reatoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  poaaibie,  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  ae  petit  que  c«rtainea  pagea  blanchea  ajouttea 
lore  d'una  reatauration  apparaiaaent  dene  la  texte, 
mala,  ioraqua  cela  Atait  poasible,  cea  pagea  n'ont 
pea  MA  fiimtea. 


L'lnplitut  a  microfilm*  la  mailleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  At*  poaaibie  de  ae  procurer.  Lea  dAtaiia 
da  oat  exemplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniquee  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mAthode  normele  de  filmage 
aont  indiquAa  ci-daatoua. 


Th( 
to 


D 
D 
D 
0 
D 
0 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Coloured  pagea/ 
Pagea  da  coulaur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagAea 

Pagea  reatored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagea  reataurAea  at/ou  paliiculAea 

Pagea  diacoloured,  atainad  or  foxed/ 
Pagea  dAcoiorAea,  tachatAea  ou  piquAea 

Pages  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachAea 

Showthrough/ 
Tranaparence 

Quality  of  print  variea/ 
QualitA  InAgala  de  I'lmpresaion 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  matAriel  supplAmerftaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Adition  diaponibie 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obacured  by  errata 
slips,  tissuaa,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  tlie  best  possible  image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obacurciaa  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  peture, 
etc.,  ont  AtA  filmAea  A  nouveau  de  fapon  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  poaaibie. 


Th 
poi 
of 
filr 


Orl 
bei 
thi 
aio 
ot» 
fin 
slo 
or 


Th( 
shi 
Tin 
wh 

Ma 

difl 

am 

be 

rig] 

rec 

ma 


D 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmA  au  taux  de  rAduction  indiquA  ci-daaaoua. 


10X 

14X 

18X 

22X 

2SX 

30X 

./' 

X 

3 

12X 


16X 


20X 


a4X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  hM  b««n  r«produo«d  thanks 
to  tho  gonorotity  of: 

Library  of  tho  Public 
Archives  of  Canada 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  roproduit  grica  A  la 
g*n4roait4  da: 

La  bibiiothiqua  das  Archivas 
pubiiquas  du  Criada 


Tha  imagas  appearing  hara  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  lagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  tha 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  iliuatratad  imprea- 
sion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impreaaion. 


Las  Images  suivantes  ont  4t4  reproduites  avac  la 
plus  grand  soin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
da  la  nettetA  de  i'exemplaira  fiimA,  at  en 
conformity  avac  las  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Lea  exemplaires  orlginaux  dont  la  couvarture  en 
pepier  eat  ImprimAa  sont  filmte  en  commenpant 
par  la  premier  plat  at  an  terminant  soit  par  la 
darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  la  second 
plat,  salon  la  cas.  Tous  las  autras  exemplaires 
orlginaux  aont  flmAs  en  commenpant  par  la 
pramlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impreaaion  ou  d'illustration  at  en  terminant  par 
la  darnlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  -^  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  aymbol  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appiiaa. 


Un  dea  aymboias  suivants  apparaTtra  sur  la 
darnlAre  Image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  aymbola  — ►  signifia  "A  SUIVRE".  le 
aymbole  ▼  signlfie  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratloa.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  In  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  es 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  pauvent  Atre 
filmte  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff^rents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  soul  cliche,  II  est  film*  A  partir 
de  Tangle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'imagea  nteesssire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
lllustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

CANADA 


PUBLIC  ARCHIVES 
ARCHIVES  PUBLIQUES 


^e^ 


.-■  Vj;  i^'wi"  1,'A  •■  V    Nj     1      \,v 


%* 


r  1  *i 


t. 


THE 


lis|*P  "f  S^tt^J^f^f's 


ADDRESS 


AT   THE 


dStnnal  ^Ijeologual  leminarq, 


MDCCCLII, 


?, 


I 


§ 


■• 


AN    ADDRESS 


DELlVEKKIl  IN  THE  CIlArKI, 


OK   TlIK 


(ieneral  C|eoiogicjil  ^tmtnarg 


OF   TlIK 


PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 


; 


IN  THK  UNlTtD  STATES. 
On    I-'kiuay,    iS'ovKMBKK    13 Til,    18  52. 

BY    FRANCIS    FULFORD,    D.D., 

LORD  BlSlIOr  OK   MONTREAL. 


ST  e  u)  -  J3  0  r  k  : 
CHURCH    DEPOSITORY, 

DANIEL    DANA,    Jr., 
No.  yo  John-Street. 


MDCCCLII. 


is 


.A 


(f) 


UUNEY    ANU     UUaaKM.,     l-KlNTKKi«, 


/3/ 


»l 


Ni;w-V\)RK,  ^'lll•cm^ln■  \:\/li,  iHi'i'J 

Mv    f.dKIt, 

Wo   ar<!   HO   iniicli    iiitcroHtcd  in   llm  AddroHM   vvliicli  ym  ho   kinilly   dr- 
livorrd  lo  tlic  Studrnl«  of  tlic   (Jrnor.il  'I'hooloiricnl    Sciiiiiiury,   on   llir  cvcm 
iiijr  of  thr    12tli  of    Novrinlior,  ;il   Iho  rniucHt  of  (he  Family.  Hiiit   we   iiif 
doHirous  of  jioHrtrwHiiifr  it  in  u  iirrmiiiimf  form  ;  and  also  of  t-nalilinir  many, 
wlio  woro   not    prrsonf    upon   dial    occaHion,   lo   |mrlici|)at('  in   the    iilftimiro 
and  inHtruction  wliicli  yon  comnuniicatt-d  to  us,      \V(-  tliink,  loo,  ili.ii   your 
wido  conuHclN,  and  oarncHt  and   fallirrly  cxhorlalioiiH,  will  he  of  grcil  lu'ni! 
lit  to  IhoHo  wlio  arc  i)rci)arin>,'  for  tlio  H,-icrc<l  Ministry      \V(>  Ihcri-forr  so 
licit  a  copy  of  your  Address  for  publication. 

V\'c  are,  with  very  ureat  respect, 

N'our  liOrdship's  friends  and  fellow-labourers 
111  the  (Jhurch  of  (Jhrist, 

lOXA.  M.  WAINWUKIHT, 

I'ln.  litshop  of  Ncv-  Yiit I. 
Samuel  R.  Johnson,  1).  1)  , 

I'rof.  of  System.  Divini/y  and  Unut. 
Samuel  H.  Tijuneh,   D.  1).,  Professor 

of  Bill.  Learn,  and  Iiiterp.  of  Scripluri 
Bknjamin  (.  Haioht,  D.  I)., 

Prof,  of  Pastoral  Thcoloiry. 
M.  Maiian,  13.  1), 

Prof,  of  Ecclesiastir.al  Historij 
'I'o  TUB  Lord  Bishop  of  Montrkal. 


Montreal,  Nov.  2Qth,  1853 
Right  Rev'd.  and  REv'n.  Brethren, 
I  beg   to   thank  you  most   sincerely  for  the    letter  which  I  have  just 
received,  and   for    the   kind   luanuor   in    whicli    you    have    l)een    pleased    to 
express  yourselves,  respecting   the  Address  delivered  by  inc   in  the  Chapel 
of  the  Seminary. 

With  your    request,   for    the   publication   of   the   Address,   so  made,   and 
emanating   from  such    high   authority,   I   feel   I  cannot  do   otherwise  than 


If 

comi.ly  ;  an.l  I  Irunt  IhnI  lU.<  a.l.litioiiiil  mAyiUi  thii«  Rivrti  lo  wor.ln  ..I 
iulvico  HiM.krn  l.y  «  .•niuparativ  Mmi.«.T.  will  ratin.,  llinii  lo  Im-  ih.-  nior.' 
.■arrfuily  r.-ccivcl  by   Hi.-   Sli..U-n(-  lor  wium..   Lni.-ni   ih.-y    wr.-  H,)..k.'ii 

Willi   wuriii   an.l    Kralcful   r.-collcclioii-   of  much    kin.lm«H»    rm'ivrd    Ir.mi 
ail  of  you,  and  willi  IwkIi  rcMpoi-t, 

I  ri'inaiii, 

YourH  vrry  faithfully, 

r    MON'I'UKAI. 

TiiK  UiiiuT  Kkv.   HiHiioi'  Wainwhiiimt,  D.  D  . 
Ami  the  Faculty  of  the   tkin'ial   Theo- 
logical Sf.minary. 


iA 


I 


'.•  'V\\v  SludprilH  of  llic  Seminary  likewicr  addroHHed  a  IcIU-r  lo  hi» 
l,ordBhii>  expressive  of  tlieir  interest  in  tlie  occasion,  and  of  their  ilesire 
for  the   [mblicatioii  of  his   Address. 


I 


WoFiIh    III 

till'  imiri' 
iiiki-n 
I'ril    t'roiii 


in;.\i, 


ter   to   liiM 
jpir  (Ipsiro 


fr    is    pmpor    to    stiilf    that    tin*    yrfnter    povtinii   of   wluit   is  now 
pi'iiitrd    ill    the    lollowiiiir    piiL't's,    iuis    uiriuidy    lit't>ii    insid*!    piiMic    in 
iiiiotlior   siiiipt'.     Hiiviiiif,  (liiiiiijj;   my   siioit    visit  iit    Ncw-^'ork,  on   tiic 
J  iicciisioii    (il    tlin    ('(iiis«'<Matioii    nl     Hisliiip    Waiinviiylit,    bt'cii    niicx- 

%  pt'ctt'dly     iv()iU's(t'ii     t(t    lit'livcr    iui    Addit'ss    in     tli«»    (,'liapel    of    tiif 

'rii(>(i|ii<rical  Seminary  in  that  City,  I  had  no  timo  to  do  inori!  than 
simply  lo  adapt  somt^  |)assai;t>s  Ironi  a  C'liaiyo  lately  (h'liveretl  by 
nif!  in  my  own  Diocese.  Should  tiiis  re-piiblication  of  a  portion  of 
that  ("harire  provt;  in  any  measure  useful  for  the  Students  of  the 
Seminary,  if  will  indeed  he  a  som'ce  of  real  .salistaetion  to  me; 
at  any  rate  it  will  serve  to  remind  me  of  a  season,  durinir  whii^li 
I  joined  with  the  Kishops  and  Clerjiy  and  ii  ju'reaf  body  of  the 
Laity  of  the  Ameriean  Kpiseopal  Clnuch,  in  holy  .service!*  of  deep- 
est  interest  to  all  of  us;  and  will  bear  witness  for  the  Unity  oi 
the  Body,  of  which  we,  as  Catholic  Christians,  are  severally  mem- 
bers. 

F.  M. 


MoNTKK.Al,.   Nov.    18,    1852. 


M 


1 


ADDRESS. 


-*•; 
^ 


f 


''S 


Having  been  requested  l)y  tliose  wlio  bear  rule 
in  tliis  Institution  to  deliver  an  Address  after  the 
Evening  Service,  I  feel  tliat  I  cannot  more  appropri- 
ately comply,  tlian  by  making  a  few  remarks  on  tlie 
cliaracter  and  duties  of  the  sacred  office  of  the  Minis- 
try, more  immediately  addressing  myself  to  those 
who   are  here   preparing  for   Holy  Orders. 

And  I  cannot  omit  first  briefly  stating  how  great 
has  been  my  satisfaction  at  having  been  present  in 
this  city  during  this  week  ;  to  have  ^vitnessed  the  sol- 
emn ceremonial  of  Wednesday  last,*  taking  part  my- 
self in  the  most  important  acts  in  it ;  and  to  have 
had  the  privilege  of  mixing  in  free  and  kindly  inter- 
course Avith  so  many  of  the  most  valued  memljers  of 
this  branch  of  the  Catholic  Church.  It  has  also  inter- 
ested me  most  deeply  to  inquire  into  the  particulars 
of  your  ecclesiiistical  constitution  and  discipline  ;  for, 
circumstanced  as  we  are  in  the  Colonial  Branch  of 
the  English  Cliurch,  we  are  in  many  respects  look- 
ing to  our  Brethren  in  the  United  States  as  the  model 
after  which  we  may  ourselves  hope  to  be  organized. 

*  TliG  Consecration  of   the   Rev.    Dr.  Wainwright   as   Provisional    Dishop 
of   the   Diocese  of   New-York. 

2 


2 


i  i 


But  whatever  may  be  tlie  ecclesiastical  constitution 
of  tlie  Chui'cli  to  which  Ave  belong ;  whatever  provi- 
sion may  be  made  for  its  self-government ;  however 
suitably  adapted  to  the  circumstances  in  which  Ave 
are  placed  in  relation  to  the  civil  poAvers,  and  our 
fellow-citizens  around  us,  it  is  still  for  us,  my  young 
friends,  to  rememlier  that  under  any  circumstances 
no  blessing  can  be  looked  for  upon  our  Zion,  no 
groAvth  and  increase  of  spiritual  life  Avithin  her 
courts,  unless  there  be  also  present  Avitli  us  faithful, 
godly,  and  laborious  ministers,  God's  remembran- 
cers, Avatchmen  in  Israel,  Avho  shall  bear  witness  for 
the  truth  by  their  lives,  as  Avell  as  by  their  doctrine, 
and  point  out  to  their  flocks  the  way  to  heaven  by 
Avalking  in  it  themselves.  The  teaching  of  Gospel 
truths  in  the  preaching,  and  the  exemplification  of 
Gospel  obedience  in  the  lives,  of  the  ministers  of 
Christ,  are  a  great  and  powerful  means,  in  the  hand 
of  the  Lord,  for  pulling  doAvn  the  strongholds  of 
Satan  and  establishing  the  kingdom  of  God.  But 
AA'hile  publishing  to  others  "  the  glad  tidings"  of  salva- 
tion, let  us  for  ourselves  "  make  our  own  calling  and 
election  sure ;"  let  us  strive  to  observe  that  steady 
consistency  of  character  in  our  general  conversation, 
that  gravity  of  deportment  that  becomes  our  holy 
office ;  and  "  keep  our  own  bodies  under,  and  bring 
them  into  subjection,  lest  Avhile  preaching  to  others 
Ave  ourselves  become  castaways."*  Besides  being  our 
interest,  this  is  our  bounden  duty  for  promoting  the 
success  of  our  ministry ;  since,  Avhatever  grace  may 
attach  to  direct  ministerial  acts,  "  AAdiich  be  effectual 
because  of  Christ's  institution  and  promise,"f  yet  the 
prayers  of  an  ungodly  man  can  be  of  little  use  to 


i 


*  1  Cor.  ix.  27. 


t  Articles  of  Religion,  xxvi. 


3 


3onstitution 
;ever  provi- 
t;  liowever 
I  wliicli  Ave 
jrs,  and  our 
,  my  yonng 
rcumstaiices 
ur  Zion,  no 
witliin  her 
us  faitliful, 
remembran- 
r  witness  for 
leir  doctrine, 
3  lieaven  by 
ig  of  Gospel 
.plification  of 
ministers   of 
,  in  the  hand 
rongholds   of 
)f  God.    But 
ngs"  of  salva- 
n  calling  and 
e  that  steady 
conversation, 
mes  our  holy 
ler,  and  bring 
iiins  to  others 
sides  being  our 
promoting  the 
^er  grace  may 
chbe  effectual 
.mise,"t  yet  the 
)f  little  use  to 

rion,  xxvi. 


otliers,  and  no  unction  can  be  hoped  for  to  descend 
on  the  people  from  tb'?  irts  of  our  gaiments,  un- 
less we  ourselves  have  ceived  an  anointing  fi'om 
above.  Moreover,  unless  we  have  analyzed  the  tear 
of  penitence  when  dropping  from  our  own  eye,  how 
can   we    recognize    it    when    bedewing   a    brother's 

'1  cheek ;  unless  we  ourselves  have  tasted  of  the  bread 
of  life,  how  can  we  describe  to  others  its  strengthen- 

>l  ing  powers ;  unless  we  have  drank  of  the  fountain 
of  life,  how  tell  them  of  its  cleansing  and  refreshing 
virtues  ;  unless  we  ourselves  "  have  been  with  Jesus," 
and  with  Him,  "  entered  within  the  veil,"*  how  can 
we  enlarge  upon  the  excellence  of  His  communion, 
the  fullness  of  his  temple,  or  the  splendours  of  His 
throne  ? 

But  we  must  look  at  the  duties  of  the  Clergy, 
not  only  towards  those  within  our  own  Communion, 
but  also  towards  those  Avho  are  without.  The  visi- 
ble unity  of  the  Body  of  Christ  is  marred  by  the 
sins  and  weakness  of  man,  and  the  unbeliever  and 
the  imgodly  draw  from  thence  much  encouragement 
to  gainsay  the  truths  of  revelation,  and  the  plain 
requirements  of  the  law  of  God.  If,  therefore,  the 
differences  that  exist  between  various  religious  com- 
munities are  not  thought  of  material  importance, 
they  must  surely  ajipear  to  us  to  be  unjustifiable  and 
sinful ;  if,  however,  we  think  ourselves  justified  in 
maintaining  them,  we  ought  to  be  fully  persuaded 
in  our  own  minds  of  the  grounds  upon  which  they 
are  founded.  But  in  all  such  questions  let  it  be 
our  care  still  to  maintain  our  Christian  charity ;  to 
contend  for  truth,  not  for  victory ;  to  condemn,  not 
persons,  but  their   errors,  and  to  be  far  more  dili- 


*  Hcb.  vi.   19. 


gent  in  declaring  positive  truths,  than  in  denouncing 
the  belief  or  practice  of  our  neighbours.  A  little 
religion  is  very  apt  to  engender  a  violent  spirit  of 
partisanship;  a  larger  measure  of  grace  and  know- 
ledge, Avhile  it  confirms  us  in  our  own  position  on 
better  and  clearer  grounds,  teaches  us  also  more  cor- 
rectly in  what  way  we  ought  to  act  towards  others. 
"  We  have  just  enough  religion  (says  an  excellent  au- 
thor) to  make  us  hate,  but  not  enough  to  make  us 
love  one  another."*  "  If  we  establish  truth,  (to 
adopt  the  language  of  a  learned  divine,  Avhose  re- 
cent loss  the  Church  is  yet  mourning,)  error  will 
fall  of  itself,  not  immediately,  perhaps,  but  gradu- 
ally and  finally.  Belief  cannot  be  forced.  To  at- 
tempt it  will  only  generate  hostility.  But  by  the 
exercise  of  Christian  virtues,  by  upholding  the  truth 
with  meekness  and  gentleness,  by  putting  the  most 
candid  construction  upon  the  motives  of  them  that 
be  in  error,  by  inducing  them  to  view  the  truth  from 
other  points  than  those  to  which  education  or  habit 
has  accustomed  them ;  —  by  such  methods  will  the 
Chi'istian  religion  be  most  successfully  propagated."f 
If  you  endeavour  to  cultivate  such  a  spirit,  no  one, 
whose  opinion  is  worth  listening  to,  Avill  ever, think 
the  worse  of  you  for  Ijeing  faithful  to  the  specific 
principles  of  the  Communion  to  which  you  belong, 
or  for  being  anxious  to  act  up  to  the  tenor  of  your 
ordination  vows.  Far  otherwise ;  be  assured  that 
your  truth  and  consistency  will  gain  respect  and 
confidence,  your  Christian  moderation  and  charity 
will   win  love   and  souls. 

In  order  rightly  to  appreciate  the  position  of  those 


Br| 

mc 

unl 

off 

ef 

dc 

ci^ 

at 


♦  Quoted  in  the  dMth  No.  of  the  Spectator. 

t  Jarvis's  "  Church  of  the  Redeemed,"  Preface,  p.  xiv. 


little 
\nt  of 
:uow- 
m  ou 
re  cor- 
|thers. 
it  au- 
^e  us 
(to 
e  re- 
win 


Branches  of  the  Churcli,  of  wliich  we  are  severally 
members,  it  will  be  necessary  that  you  should  fully 
understand  the  principles  upon  Avhich  the  great  work 
of  the  Reformation  was  conducted,  and  wiiat  it  really 
effected.  This  is  far  too  wide  a  subject  for  me  to 
do  more  than  just  glance  at;  but  I  would  wish  you 
carefully  to  note  that  it  was  not  a  Avork  conii)leted 
at  once,  or  by  one  generation  of  men;  and  that  it 
resulted  in  two  inestimable  blessings,  Avhicli  we  now 
possess  as  our  inheritance,  Avhich  have  preserved  to  us 
"  the  truth  once  delivered  to  the  saints,"  and  which, 
I  trust,  we  shall  faithfully  hand  down  to  those  that 
come  after. 

The  first  and  greatest  of  these  blessings  was  The 
Bible,  which  now  once  more  received  its  due  i-eve- 
rence  and  regard ;  and,  having  been  translated  into 
the  language  known  and  used  by  the  people,  Avas 
placed  l)y  command  in  all  churches  and  places  of  pub- 
lic worship,  that  it  might  be  read  by  all  for  their 
guidance  and  comfort,  and  be  referred  to  by  all  Avho, 
respecting  any  matters  of  faith  or  doctrine,  wished  to 
"  search  the  Scriptures  to  see  Avhether  these  things 
Avere  so."*  And  it  is  the  great  excellence  of  the 
Church,  to  which  we  belong,  that,  in  all  her  formula- 
ries and  articles,  she  shrinks  from  no  inquiry,  and 
fears  no  compfirison  Avith  the  Aviitten  Word ;  and 
teaches  expressly,  in  her  Sixth  Article,  that  "  Holy 
Scripture  containeth  all  things  necessary  to  salvation, 
so  that  AA'hatsoever  is  not  read  therein,  nor  may  be 
j^roved  thereby,  is  not  to  be  required  of  any  man, 
that  it  should  l)e  believed  as  an  article  of  Faith, 
or  be  thought  requisite   or   necessary  to  salvation." 


•Acts  xvii.  11. 


ii 


6 


The  other  blessing  I  refer  to  is  "  the  Book  of  Com- 
mon Prayer,"  which  serves  not  only  as  our  guide  antl 
assistant  in  public  Avorship,  and  in  most  simple  and 
spiritual  language  leads  us  with  one  mind  and  one 
voice  to  praise  and  .rorshij)  God ;  but  it  also  ])ro- 
vides  us  with  Confessions  of  Faith,  and  standards  of 
doctrinal  truth,  by  mear.s  of  which  the  maintenance 
of  a  full  and  pure  system  of  Christian  belief  is 
always  preserved,  and  the  Gospel-message  necessa- 
rily set  forth  before  men. 

Tlie  weakness  of  man  is  so  extreme,  the  tempta- 
tion to  evil  so  great,  and  false  doctrine  so  agreea- 
ble to  our  natural  inclination,  that  we  may  truly 
bless  God  that  we  have  not  been  left,  each  of  us  to 
search  out  for  himself,  without  sucli  a  guide  to 
help  us,  the  great  and  essential  truths  contained  in 
the  Word  of  God.*  And  Avhen  we  numl^er  up  the 
amount  of  the  ever-varying  and  increasing  interpre- 
tations affixed  to  the  same  passages  of  Scrij)ture, 
and  affecting  most  important  doctrines ;  and  when 
we  so  often  hear  of  the  falling  away  of  whole  con- 
gregations, as  well  as  of  individuals,  from  tlie   faith 

♦  "  Q.  What  need  we  Catechisms,  while  we  have  the  Bible  I 

"x\.  Because  the  Bible  contains  all  the  whole  body  of  religious  truth,  which 
the  ripest  Christian  should  know,  but  are  not  all  of  equal  necessity  to  salvation 
with  the  greatest  points,  and  it  cannot  be  expected  that  ignorant  persons  can 
cull  out  these  most  necessary  points  from  the  rest  without  help.  A  man  is  not 
a  man  without  a  head  and  heart,  but  he  may  be  a  man  if  he  lose  a  finger  or  a 
hand,  but  not  an  entire  man,  nor  a  comely  man  without  hair,  nails,  and  nature's 
ornaments.  So  a  man  cannot  be  a  Christian  or  a  good  and  happy  man,  without 
the  great,  most  necessary  points  in  the  Bible,  nor  an  entire  Christian  without 
the  rest.  Life  and  death  licth  not  on  all  points  alike,  and  the  skilful  must 
gather  the  most  necessary  points  for  the  ignorant :  which  is  a  Catechism." 

"  Q.  But  are  not  the  articles  of  our  Church,  and  the  confessions  of  Churches, 
their  religion  1 

"  A.  Only  God's  Word  is  our  religion  as  the  divine  rule  ;  but  our  confessions, 
and  books,  and  words,  and  lives,  show  how  we  understand  it." — Baxter's  Cate- 
chism." 


whl 
nol^ 
ina 

It 


ICom- 
and 
aiul 

Olio 

])ro- 
ps  of 
jaiice 
If  is 


which  once  they  believed  and  maintained,  we  ought 
not  lightly  to  estimate  the  mercy  of  God  in  allow- 
ing us,   together  Avith  the  free  nse  of  the    written 
"Word,  to  possess  "  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer." 
It  is   true,  that  notwithstanding   the  assistance  and 
guidance  thus    provided  for   us,   there   will  still  he 
evils  to  correct  and  deficiencies  to  deplore  ;  —  there 
may  be  also  some  seasons  of  less  light  and  less  holi- 
ness   than    others,    and    individual  pastors  may  be 
untrue  to   their  profession,  and  teach  that  which  is 
contrary  to  the  mind  of  the   Church  and  her   con- 
tinued faithful  testimony.      But,   as  a   Church,   she 
can  scarcely  fall   away  ;  she  bears  her  own  unfail- 
ing witness  to  the  same  great  principles  and  doc- 
trines; and  through  the  influence  of  her  own  ex- 
positions in  "the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,''  after 
a  time  either  forces  back,   as    it  were,   her  erring 
ones  to  believe  and  confess  the  truth,  thus  set  forth, 
"  as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  or  causes  them  to  go  out  from 
her,  because  they  do   not  belong  to  her.    The  in- 
fluence   of   such   an    authorized    exposition    of   the 
Church,  so  simple,  so  scriptural,  to  which  the  Clergy 
are   required  to    subscribe   their    unfeigned    assent, 
and  pledge  themselves  to  conform,  and  which  serves 
as  the  genjral  Liturgy  to  be  used  in  all  our  places 
of  worship,  cannot  but  be  most  beneficial,  as  a  stand- 
ard of  doctrine,  and  witness  of  the  identity  of  that 
Reformed  Faith  which  it  embodies.     Any  mere  sub- 
scription to  a  Confession  of  Faith,  or  Articles  of  Re- 
ligion, by  the  Clergy  at  their  Ordination,  or  Institu- 
tion to   a  charge,  can  never  produce  the  same  re- 
sults.    Such   a   subscription  is    an   act    complete   in 
itself,  and  testifying  to   the  oj^inions   of  the  subscri- 
bers at  the  time,  but  carrying  with  it  no  perpetu- 


8 


al  check,  and  bearing  no  audible  testimony  in  case 
of  sul)se(iueiit  unt'aitlifulnes^.  Notwithstanding  the 
many  trials  and  persecutions  which  the  Church  of 
Endand  has  underLjone  duriiii?  the  last  three  centu- 
li^s ;  notwithstanding  the  violent  controversies  which 
occasionally,  as  now,  hav^e  been  raised  within  her 
own  communion,  yet  she  still  holds  fast  to  the  same 
great  Catholic  Truths,  continues  faithful  to  the  prin- 
ciph^s  upon  which  she  was  reformed,  believes  only 
what  the  Church  has  always  believed,  and  preserves 
her  unity  Avith  the  whole  ]3<jdy  of  Christ,  "built 
upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apostles  and  Prophets, 
Jesus  Christ  himself  being  the  chief  corner-stone."* 

To  you,  my  young  friends,  however,  who  are  train- 
ing up  to  fill,  if  God  shall  so  please,  the  office  of 
Ministers  of  Clu'ist,  and  conduct  the  public  services 
of  the  Church,  it  belongs  to  see  that  the  people, 
who  shall  Avait  on  vour  ministrations,  have  the  full 
benefit  <:>f  that  provision  which  has  thus  l^een  made 
for  them.  Let  not  any  irreverence  or  carelessness 
on  your  parts,  in  the  performance  of  your  duties, 
lead  the  people  to  forget  the  nature  of  these  services, 
or  to  AYiro^r  it  is  that  your  prayers  are  addressed. 
Teach  them  by  your  manner,  as  well  as  by  your 
words,  the  meaning  and  importance  of  the  work  in 
which  you  are  engaged,  and  that  "God  is  very 
greatly  to  be  feared  in  the  council  of  the  saints, 
and  to  be  had  in  reverence  of  all  them  that  are 
round  about  him."f  There  is  no  one  point,  perhaps, 
(especially  with  the  mixed  population  among  whom 
you  dwell  in  this  (Country,  as  we  do  also  in  my  own 
Diocese,)  which  it  is  more  necessary  to  keep  ever 
before   them;   without  it  your  "prayers  will   be  an 


Ephcs.  ii.  20. 


t  Ps.  Ixxxix.  7. 


9 


abomination  to  tlic  Lord,"*  an  insult  to  Ilis  Ma- 
jesty: and  tlie  ricJi  Lk'ssing-s  of  the  (xospel  will  Ijc 
an  encouragement  to  sin.  However  rude  tlie  build- 
ing in  wliich  jou  may,  in  many  parts  of  this  great 
and  growing  country,  l>e  called  to  assemble  for  di- 
vine worship,  however  few  or  humble  tlie  worship- 
l^ers,  "whore  two  or  three  are  gathered  together  in 
tlie  name  of  Christ,  there  is  He  present  in  the  midst 
of  them  ;"  tlierefore  be  ye  very  careful  how  ye  pray, 
and  Avhat  ye  speak.  Ilemember  that  your  business 
is  not  merely  to  deliver  a  message,  or  to  preach  cer- 
tain imj)ortant  doctrines,  but  to  watch  over  your 
flocks,  and  to  train  souls  for  Heaven ;  so  that  they 
may  l)e  fitted  to  join  with  the  people  of  God  in  those 
holy  and  blessed  services  which  Avill  be  the  employ- 
ment and  the  joy  of  the  followers  of  the  Lamb  for 
ever  and  ever. 

Li  the  use  of  "  the  Prayer  Book"  as  a  standard  of 
doctrine  and  exf)osition  of  faith,  it  should  be  our 
object,  as  far  as  may  be,  to  act  up  to  its  teaching ; 
and  to  receive  what  it  teaches  in  a  simple  and  lite- 
ral meaning,  without  overstraining  its  words,  or  ex- 
plaining tliem  away  to  suit  other  systems,  or  private 
interpretations.  Without  too  curiously  defining  the 
exact  extent  or  manner  of  the  operations  of  grace, 
we  are  always  warranted  in  adhering  "to  the  law 
and  to  the  testimony"  given  for  our  use,  that  the 
Sacraments  are  "  outward  and  visible  signs  of  in- 
ward and  spiritual  grace  given  unto  us,  ordained  by 
Christ  Himself,  as  means  whereby  we  receive  the 
same,  and  pledges  to  assure  us  thereof  ;"f  and  that 
"Sacraments  ordained  of  Christ  be  not  only  l)adge3 
or  tokens  of  Christian  men's   profession,  but  rather 


*  Prov.  xxviii.  9. 


t  Church  Catechism. 


10 


tliey  be  certain  sure  witiu'!<scs  and  eftoctual  signs  of 
grace,  and  GoiVs  good-will  towards  us,  by  the  whicli 
Ho  dotli  work  invisibly  in  us,  and   doth  not  only 
quicken,  but  also   strengtlion  and  confirm  our   faith 
in  Hirii."*    There  is  uothini;  unreasonable  in  the  fact 
that  Christ  works  by  means  i)rovided  for  our  use, 
and  by  ordinances  appointed  by  Ilini ;  but  it  will  be 
perverting  those  means,  and  making  those  ordinances 
of  no  effect,  if  we  rest  in  them  as  the  end,  or  consider 
them  of  any  force  or  value  excej)t  as  leading  us  to 
Christ.    As  the  Bible  itself,  from  Genesis  to  the  Re- 
velation, is  but  the   history  of  man's  fall,  and  his 
redemption  by  Christ,  so  also  it  is  with  the  Churcli 
and  all  her  ministrations  ;  "  being  born  in  sin,  and 
cliildren   of  wrath,  we  are  hereby  made  children  of 
grace,"  and  arc  taught  "  heartily  to  thank  our  hea- 
venly Father  that  He  hath  called  us  to  this  state  of 
salvation;"  and  to  "pray  unto  Ilim  to  give  us  His 
Grace,  that  we  may  conthme  in  the  same  unto   our 
life's  end."f    Whatever  Ave  do,  whatever  ordinances 
we  attend  with  an  intelligent  spirit,  must  constantly 
remind  us  of  the  evil  of  sin,  and  of  our  lost  estate 
by  nature,  and  that  it  is  hy  grace  only  Ave  cfm  be 
saved ;:]:   and  that  as  our  persons  can  only  be  justi- 
fied for  Christ's  sake,  so  that  Ave  may  have  access  to 
the  Father  as  our  reconciled  God,  so  only  by  the  gift 
of  the  Spirit,  purchased  for  us  by  Christ's  blood,  can 
Ave   oui'selves  be  sanctified,   or  emibled  to   do  that 
which  is   Avell  pleasing  in  God's  sight.     May  we  all 
Avalk  worthy  of  this  our  calling  in  Christ ;  and  "  Avork 

*  Articles  of  Religion,  xxv. 

t  Church  Catechism. 

t  "  AA'e  must  note  that  in  a  Christian  man  there  is,  first,  nature;  secondly, 
corruption,  perverting  nature  ;  thirdly,  grace,  correcting  and  amending  corruption.' ' 
— Hooker's  Sermon,  "  A  Remedy  against  Sorrow  and  Fear." 


11 


l.)f 

\y 
111 

It 


out  our  Hiilvatioii  with  fear  and  troiuhling,  })Ocj\uso 
it  in  (iod  that  worketli  iu  iis  Lotli  to  will  aiul 
to   do   of    hiti   good   pita  ui'e."* 

I  truist  that  you  Avhc»  arc  now  panning  through 
your  course  of  studies  iu  tliin  institution,  will  Lear  in 
mind  the  responsilnlity  that  lies  upon  you  to  sec;  that 
you  use  so  great  a  hlessing  aright.  This  is  a  Theolo- 
gical Seminary^  to  prepare  you  for  the  Avork  of  the 
Ministry.  Let  u<jt  the  solemn  prayer  we  have  just 
offered  up  for  God's  special  grace  and  favofir  on  this 
Seminfiry,  and  in  Avhich  you  are  daily  addiessing  the 
Almighty,  he  used  as  a  mere  matter  of  forni.f  "  All 
things  Avhatsoever  ye  shall  Jisk  in  prayer,  hclieviug,  ye 
shall  receive.";); 

Douhtless,  the  first  and  most  important  point  in 
that  training,  is  the  formation  of  the  students'  charac- 
ter, that  their  thoughts  and  tempers,  and  hahits  of 
life  and  conversation,  may  be  conformahle  to  the 
work  and  office  Avhich  they  seek  to  undertake ;  that 
they  may  he  men  of  thoughtful,  religious  and  pious 
minds,  fully  impressed  themselves  Avith  the  impor- 
tance of  those  truths  Avhich  they  are  a])0ut  to  preach 
to  others.  Without  this  foundation,  no  superstruc- 
ture of  acquired  knowledge  can  he  raised  of  any  effi- 
cient A'alue  for  the  work  of  the  ministiy.  And  at  the 
earliest  age  at  Avhicli  any  candidate  can  be  presented 
for  Deacon's  Orders,  whatever  j)ractical  experience 
may  be  Avanting,  the  character  in  all  essentials  ought 
to  be  formed  and  the  choice  made.  But  though  this 
be  especially  necessary,  Ave  must  not  undervalue  the 
importance  of  possessing,  if  possible,  a  learned  as  well 
as  a  pious  clergy.  It  is  true  that  there  may  be  spheres 
of  duty,  in  Avhich  classical  acquirements   may  seem 


*  Phil.  ii.  13,  13. 


t  Sec  Appendix. 


X  St.  Matt.  xxi.  S2. 


19 


unnecessary,  and  erudition  tlirown  away;  l)ut  when 
i\\\  the  woi'ld  U  aufitatcd  l»y  an  in(|uirin^'  s|)int ;  when 
all  tlu>H(!  around  us  are  making  progress  in  kn<)\vledge ; 
when  trutli  is  assaik'd  on  every  .side,  and  Ity  every 
weapon;  wlien  new  forms  of  controversy  are  forced 
upon  us,  or  ohl  ones  reproduced,  it  ])ecomes  us  to 
look  Avell  to  all  our  armour ;  to  Le  "  the  scrilte  in- 
structed unto  the  kingdom  of  heaven,  wlio  is  like  unto 
a  man  that  is  an  liousehcdder,  which  l)rought  fortli 
out  of  his  treasures  things  new  and  old,"  and  we  must 
"he  ready  always  to  give  an  answer  to  every  man 
that  asketh  us  a  reason  of  the  hope  that  is  in  us."* 

But  wlien  we  consider  tlio  limited  sphere,  the  re- 
tired cures,  to  which  so  many  of  you  nmst  necessarily 
be  called,  we  cannot  expect  men  of  education  and  tal- 
ent to  ahide  contentedly  in  tlieir  work,  unless  they 
liave  indeed   been  disciplined  and  trained  after  the 
mind  of  Christ.    For   myself,  I  can   most  truly  say 
tliat  Avlien  I  witness  the  spheres  of  labour  in  whicli  my 
own  clergy  are  often  called  to  officiate,  wliere  they 
must  often  be  "  hoping  against  hope,"  patiently  toiling 
"  for  souls  that  will  not  be  redeemed,"  cut  oft'  from 
all  those  Avho  can  appreciate  and  sympathize  with  their 
previous  tastes  and  habits,  with  many  an  anxious  in- 
truding thought  as  to  the  future  prospects  of  those 
around  them  in  their  own  ftimily,  I  cannot  l)ut  feel 
how  essential  it  is  that  they  should  be  men  of  strong 
and  settled  faith,  who,  in  humble  dependence  upon 
God,  are  satisfied  to  do  His  will,  committing  to  Hhn 
all  their  ways,  laying  up  their  treasure  with  their 
heart  in  heaven.     For  men  of  such  a  spirit,  "  the  wil- 
derness and  the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad,  and  the 
desert  shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose,"f  whilst 


*  1  Pet.  iii.  15. 


t  Isaiah  x.xxv.  1. 


^oWMMM 


*»^ 


iiS 


,  ^  • 


18 


IICII 
JU'II 

ivy 

red 


we,  if  wo  1h>  otlicrwiso  iiiiiidcMl,  tlioiii^Ii  now  wo  may 
1)0  lijul  111  honor,  and  our  cu]>  may  hoiuh  full,  shall  givo 
way  to  them  "  in  the  reg(!n«'ratlou,"  and  "  [iv^m  with 
shume  to  take  the  h)\ve.st  j)hic(  ."  Theit  U  some  ex- 
cellent advice  hearing  upon  this  ]»oiiit  in  a  short  pas- 
sage from  liishop  Taylor's  "  Holy  Living,"  which  will 
not  l)e  out  of  jdace  for  any  of  us :  "(iod  is  master  of 
the  scenes ;  wo  must  not  choose  which  part  we  shall 
act ;  it  concerns  us  only  to  ho  careful  tliat  we  do  it 
well,  always  saying,  if  this  jyleam  Ood,  let  it  he  a-'i  it  is: 
and  wo  who  pray  that  Clod's  '  will  may  he  done  on 
earth  as  it  is  in  heaven,'  must  remendjer  that  the  an- 
gels do  whatsoever  is  comnumded  them,  and  go  where- 
ever  they  are  sent,  and  refuse  no  circumstances ;  and 
if  their  employment  be  crossed  hy  a  higher  decree, 
they  sit  down  in  peace  and  r(!Joice  in  the  (jvent ;  and 
when  the  angel  of  Judcv.a  could  not  prevail  on  behalf 
of  the  people  committed  to  his  charge,  because  the 
angel  of  Persia  opposed  it,  he  oidy  told  the  story  at 
the  command  of  God,  and  Avas  as  content,  and  Avor- 
shipped  with  as  great  an  ecstasy  in  his  i)roportion  as 
the  prevailing  spirit.  Do  thou  so  likewise :  keep  the 
station  where  God  hath  placed  you,  and  you  shall 
never  long  for  things  Avithout,  but  sit  at  home,  feast- 
ing upon  the  Divine  Providence,  and  thy  oAvn  reason, 
by  Avhicli  Ave  are  taught  that  it  is  necessary  and  rea- 
sonable to  submit  to  God." 

Finally,  my  young  friends,  if  the  present  be  Avith 
you,  in  many  Avays,  as  it  is  Avith  us,  "  a  day  of  small 
things,''  it  is  also,  I  feel  sure,  a  day  of  hope  ;  if  Ave  are 
conscious  of  our  Aveakness,  aa^o  must  only  be  led  by  it 
more  earnestly,  in  dependence  on  God's  blessing,  to 
seek  "to  strengthen  the  things  that  remain."  But 
although  Ave  be  little  among  the  mighty  gatherings  of 


14 


V 

I 


h 


r> 


tlie  people  around  us,  yet  have  we  fellowship  with  a 
couDtless  host,  Avhose  tents  are  spread  throngliont  all 
the  Avorld,  whose  voices  are  heard  in  one  nnitcd  strain 
of  prayers  and  praises  in  the  courts  of  the  Lord's 
House,  and  whose  bands  of  love  and  unity  are  being 
drawn  increasing!}^  closer  every  day.  The  world  is 
everywhere  full  of  excitement,  eager  after  progress, 
and  plear-ed  with  novelty  : 

"  Human  kind  rejoices  in  the  might 
Of  mutability."* 

But  the  Church  of  Christ,  like  her  great  Head,  is, 
in  all  her  great  principles  of  faith  and  doctrine,  "  the 
same  yesterday,  to-day  and  for  ever."f  Slie  may  be 
rich  or  poor,  settled  or  missionary,  persecuted  by  a 
Diocletian,  or  served  by  a  Theodosius,  but  still  her 
identity  as  a  spiritual  body  is  maintained,  her  faith 
unchanged,  "  built  upon  the  foundation  of  the  Apos- 
tles and  Prophets,  Jesus  Christ  being  himself  the 
cliief  corner-stone."  Nor  shall  the  principles  of  "  Apos- 
tolic Order  and  Evangelical  Truth,"  by  which  we 
stand,  now  fail,  though  the  light  be  quenched  in  one 
or  more  of  its  present  candlesticks.  The  Church  of 
the  Reformation,  in  which  we  are  alike  partakers,  for 
awhile  insular,  shut  up  within  the  four  seas  that  en- 
circle the  British  Isles,  now  has  her  home  in  every 
quarter  of  the  world.  She  embodies  facts  which  are 
known  and  recognized.  She  appeals  both  to  the  Bi- 
ble as  the  foundation,  and  to  Catholic  testimony  as 
the  living  witness  of  "  the  faith  once  delivered  to  the 
saints."  She  has  gone  forth,  and  been  planted  and 
taken  root  in  this  Mighty  Empire,  in  our  English  North 
Ameiican  colonies,  in  the  East  and  West  Indies,  in 


Wordsworth. 


+  Heb.  xiii.  8. 


15 

Africa,  Cliina,  and  Australasia,  and  everywhere  lias 
raised  np  seed,  and  is  full  of  reproductive  life. 

And  now  unto  tlie  Great  Head  of  tlie  Cliurcli,  and 
to  God  tlie  Father,  invisible,  eternal,  with  the  Holy 
Spirit,  be  ascribed  all  praise  and  glory,  giving  thanks 
for  past  mercies,  and  praying  that  we  may  have  grace 
to  keep  us  from  falling-  into  sin  or  error.  And  "  peace 
be  to  the  brethren,  and  love  with  faith,  from  God  the 
Father,  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.  Grace  be  with  all 
them  that  love  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  in  sincerity. 
Amen."* 


*  Ephes.  vi,  23,  24, 


APPENDIX. 


Praijcr 


IV  .s 


SAID   AT    THE    DAILY    SKRVICE   IN    THE   GKNKRAL    TIIEOI-OCICAL    SEMINARY, 
BEFORE   THE   GENERAL   THANKSGIVING. 

Most  Gracious  Fatlior,  -who,  by  Thy  Blossecl  Son,  our  Saviour 
Jesus  Christ,  didst  commission  Thy  Holy  Apostles,  and  through  them 
a  succession  of  Pastors  to  the  end  of  time,  to  proclaim  to  the  world 
the  knowledge  of  Salvation  through  a  Redeemer,  we  implore  Thy 
blessing  on  this  Seminary,  instituted  with  a  view  to  the  same 
Ministry  of  the  Gospel.  !May  the  hearts  and  the  hands  of  Thy 
people  be  open  Avilh  supplies  for  carrying  the  design  into  effect. 
May  the  Trustees  and  Professors  bo  endued  with  fidelity  and  wis- 
dom, and  sustained  by  Thy  Providence  in  the  discharge  of  the 
duties  respectively  committed  to  them.  ^May  the  Pupils  be  favored 
with  health  for  the  prosecution  of  their  studies,  and  preserved  by 
Thy  grace  fiom  all  temptations  to  relaxation  of  industry  in  the 
pursuit  of  knowledge.  Strengthen  in  them  the  good  desires  which 
have  been  excited  in  them  by  the  inspiration  of  Thy  Holy  Spirit, 
and  impress  on  their  minds  a  sense  of  the  high  origin,  the  salu- 
tary tendency,  the  awful  duties  and  responsibilities,  and  the  rich 
rewards  of  the  Gospel  jNIinistr}'.  Endue  them  with  humility  in  the 
pursuit  of  truth,  and  with  zeal  and  steadfastness  in  the  profession 
of  it.  Preserve  them  from  prejudices,  and  from  whatever  else  may 
betray  their  understandings  into  error,  or  their  hearts  into  sin.  May 
they  be  useful  i;i  their  generation  to  the  increase  of  Thy  glory 
and  the  edification  of  Thy  Church :  and  may  they  at  last  receive 
the  commendation  of  faithful  servants  from  the  great  Shepherd  and 
Bishop  of  souls,  Thy  Son,  .lesus  Christ  our  Lord,  in  whose  name, 
and  through  whose  prevailing  merits,  we  ofl'er  up  these  our  imper- 
fect prayers.      Amen. 


7i  f  3/ 


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